“Yes, I know,” I said excitedly, for the thought made me shudder.
“Well, there you was; and the more you was pulled the tighter you was, just below the bottom of the ladder.”
“And what did you do, Ike?”
“Well, I was going down, and was about handing the ropes to Old Brownsmith’s brother, when young Shock hops in on to the ladder like a wild monkey a’most. Down he goes chattering like anything, and it was no use to shout to him to have a rope. Afore we knowed it a’most, he was down and lying flat on his stum. ‘Lower a bit,’ he shouts, and we lowered, and he untwisted you two and guided you both clear, and stopped till you were both out, when he came out whistling as if nothing was the matter.”
“A brave fellow!” I cried warmly.
“That’s what I said,” cried Ike; “but the plumber said it was because he didn’t know there was any danger.”
“Well, Ike, what then?”
“Oh, there’s no more to tell, only that Sir Francis come and a doctor was fetched, and the guv’nor said it would be a warning to them two boys; and young shaver who went down’s up at home getting all right, and you’ve got all right, and that’s all.”
That was not all, for I went down the garden—and found Shock, to thank him for what he had done, but he only turned his back on me and then walked away; while, feeling faint, I turned to go up to the cottage and lie down till the sick sensation had gone off.
I had gone about a dozen yards, when, thump! a worm-eaten baking pear, half-grown, hit me on the back, and I did not need telling that it was thrown by Shock.